Question of the Day

Whose side of the story do you believe?

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday that he is eager to resume talks with the U.S. Olympic Committee on the possibility of bringing the 2024 Games to Southern California, after the committee severed ties with first-choice Boston.

The Democratic mayor said he has not had conversations with the committee since its decision to end ties with Boston, but “I continue to believe that Los Angeles is the ideal Olympic city.”

“We have always supported the USOC in their effort to return the Games to the United States,” the mayor said in a statement. “I would be happy to engage in discussions with the USOC about how to present the strongest and most fiscally responsible bid on behalf of our city and nation.”

Boston and the Olympic Committee severed ties Monday, the city’s bid crippled by poor communication and an active opposition group that kept public support low. It also failed to get and keep the support of key politicians.

Whether Los Angeles’ bid could make a comeback is not yet clear. Only seven weeks remain before cities have to be officially nominated.

In a statement Monday announcing the end of the bid in Boston, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said the federation was still interested in mounting a bid for the Summer Games. He didn’t mention any city specifically, though the best bet is Los Angeles would be the candidate.

Barry A. Sanders, chairman of the Southern California Committee For The Olympic Games, said the group had not heard from the Olympic Committee, although the mayor’s office would likely be the first point of contact.

Broad enthusiasm remains to bring the games to Los Angeles, Sanders said. But when asked what would happen with Boston out of the running, he added, “I don’t know.”